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Question
I notice in many Catholic documents about homosexuality that the term "homosexual inclination" and "homosexual tendency" is used.
But in documents from Protestant, mental health, human sexuality researchers, mental health associations, many gay-positive groups, etc., the term "homosexual orientaition" is used.
Can you tell me what the difference is between tendency, inclination and orientation?
Regards
Bruce Robinson
I really do not know what these other-than-Catholic groups might mean by "orientation." I do not know if this is a code word or not. I do not have access to a mental health professional whom I could querry.
Sorry that I could not be helpful.
Best wishes, Bruce.
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| Rating(1-10) | Knowledgeability = 7 | Clarity of Response = 10 | Politeness = 10 |
| Comment | Thanks for trying anyway. FYI: Sexual orientation has two meanings. Some conservative Protestants believe that it describes the type of individuals that a person finds sexually attractive. They often define it as including age, gender, race and other variables. So if a person were a pedophile, that would be part of their sexual orientation. But the rest of the world (gays, lesbians, bisexuals, mental health professionals, human sexuality researchers, religious liberals, etc.) define "orientation" as defining the gender that one finds sexually attractive. So a person attracted only to the opposite sex is a heterosexual; attracted only to the same sex is a homosexual, and attrated to both sexes is a bisexual. I was just curious why the Catholic church uses "tendency" etc. in place of the near-universally used "orientation." | ||
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Answers by Expert:
Edward Bode
Expertise
Catholic dogma, especially as related to Scripture. I have a doctorate in biblical theology [University of St. Thomas, Rome]. I do not answer questions concerning personal moral situations -- ones dealing with right and wrong [sin].
Experience
I have taught Catholic thought in grade and high schools, and in college and universities.
Organizations
Catholic Biblical Association
Publications
Catholic Biblical Quarterly, The Bible Today.
Education/Credentials
Graduate degrees in theology from the Pontifical Gregorian University, in scripture from the Pontifical Biblical Institute, and a doctorate in theology from the Pontifical University of St. Thomas; all in Rome
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